Russia May Ban Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ For Gay Character

Russian leaders are under pressure to ban Disney’s live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast” because of a 2013 law that prohibits “gay propaganda” aimed at children.

According to BBC, Vitaly Milonov, a lawmaker with the governing United Russia party, asked Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to view the movie before its release later this month. If the film has “elements of propaganda of homosexuality,” he wants it banned.

The remake features Disney’s first openly gay character, LeFou, played by actor Josh Gad.

During an interview with Attitude magazine, a European gay lifestyle magazine, the film’s director Bill Condon described LeFou as “somebody who on one day wants to be Gaston and an another day wants to kiss Gaston.”

The statement has stirred up controversy with a number of parents saying they will not take their children to see the film.